Free property for affordable housing could be up for grabs in Parry Sound.
In a bid to reduce the area's housing shortage, the town is seeking developers to build affordable housing on some of its vacant properties.
It's up to the would-be developers to submit to the town what help they'll need from the municipality to do so.
"This is an attempt to see if we can help improve the housing availability in the town using these properties that (the town owns) as an incentive," said Iain Laing, Parry Sound's director of community development. "We're saying, ?we've got these lands; you tell us what you're going to need to put housing on them.'"
Laing is referring to six vacant lots near or on Emily Street and Railway Avenue.
Likely in the town's possession for many years, taken through tax arrears or purchased, their development is crucial now more than ever, say area stakeholders, since affordable housing is tied to Parry Sound's economic growth.
The west Parry Sound area has the fastest growing population of seniors in the region. Along with a new Canadore College campus that will double its students in two years, the already tight affordable housing market will only get worse. District wide, the Parry Sound District Social Services Administration Board housing has a wait list of almost 400 people.
"If you don't have anywhere for people to stay, then you don't have anywhere for the employees of our local businesses to live. So nobody's going to move in here," said Kirsten LeDrew, from the Regional Economic Development Advisory Committee (REDAC), an area economic promoter.
REDAC's workforce and housing subcommittee recommended the town put the call out for proposals after hosting round table discussions and seminars on the subject.
Their definition of affordable is based on the area's average household income: "affordable" apartments cost from $427 to $1,272 a month; affordable homes from $80,000 to $250,000.
Thirty privately owned properties with housing development potential have also been identified.
It's one of the development committee's mandates to increase the number of affordable rental and ownership properties, which will in turn help the town grow. "The more people you have living here, the more people are shopping, the more people are working, the more that employers can hire people," said LeDrew.
Laing says some local developers have already nibbled at the line.
They will have until the end of the summer to submit their plans and identify the support they need from the town.
Any applicable proposals have to be approved by council and the agreement would include a caveat that the development stays affordable.
Potential properties
?Kate Street and Emily Street; though a rock outcropping, Laing says this property could accommodate a duplex or triplex.
?West side of Emily Street just south of 64 Emily St.; has zoning that allows a triplex.
?East side of Emily Street we st of the wastewater treatment plant; 20 acres of vacant land that could be developed.
?West Side of Railway Avenue immediately south of 3 Railway Ave; beside one of the municipal not-for-profit fourplexes; has always been vacant.
?East side of Railway Avenue at south end; beside the railway tracks; property could be developed for a triplex.
?South side of Parry Sound Road west of Railway Avenue; the town has 25.9 acres there. This area would have to be rezoned.